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I love the BowFlex - it has really inspired me to keep working-out! I put the BowFlex in my second bedroom, which also serves as my den (computer, desks, books, etc.). I spend a lot of time on my computer and with the BowFlex being RIGHT there in the room, I can't ignore it. ;) If I had a house, I might put the BowFlex in the basement and watch it slowly collect dust (out of sight, out of mind). Therefore, if you get one, keep it in a spot where you can't miss it. Try NOT to fold it up and put it away - keep it out. The BowFlex costs a fair amount of $$, and with it being literally right out in front of you at home, if nothing else, you will feel guilty enough to use it. ;) As I wrote, they are expensive - so pick a model based on your budget and what you want to do. I got their top model, but only because I had a coupon and some slight reimbursement from my work. If I didn't have these, I would have purchased a less expensive one. I think, though, that all models are good to use. What I love most is that I can work-out whenever. Sometimes I get up early and work-out before I get ready for work. Sometimes I take a nap when I come home and then work-out late at night. On weekends, I can work-out in the afternoon, before going out. In other words, there's no driving to the gym, no hassles with gym hours - it's right there. And I can do every exercise I want on the BowFlex. I don't have to wait for someone to finish using a machine before I can use it. Without waiting, I can quickly bounce between exercises. That keeps my heart-rate up and keeps me going. I still have lots of fat on me, so the muscles aren't really showing yet - but I can feel them (underneath the layers of fat). I can flex my arms and I do see a bit of a real bicep forming! LOL! I can flex my pectorals and they move! So it does work. Best thing is that it's easy on your joints. Also, you can push yourself - you can lift and lift until your muscles can't take it, and not have to worry about having some heavy weight dropping on top of you. Therefore, it's also safe. Bowflex's web site ([url=www.bowflex.com][b:adc14fc199]bowflex.com[/b:adc14fc199][/url]) has 34 pages of customer testimonials - 34 pages! 8O Try finding that many customers to respond in such a postive manner on any other product. Therefore, if you can work it into your budget, I'd highly recommend one. But if the BowFlex is a bit too much, take a look at Soloflex and Crossbow. They aren't nearly as good as the BowFlex, IMO, but they are cheaper alternatives.
it sounds as if you are getting the job done! congrats to you :) i'm torn between getting a gym membership or a homegym. as you said, both have pros and cons. it would be nice to be able to work out anytime i wanted without having to worry about waiting for machines. i don't have a lot of spare room at my house so that would be a potential issue. i'm sure the cost of one versus the other would probably be almost the same. i'll have to make some phone calls and see what rates are. thanks for all the good info.. i'll let you know what i decide to do!
the main reason i went with a gym membership is because i have a weight set home that's been collecting dust for the better part of a year. that's not the worst part of the story though. when i moved two years ago i promised the mover that i would use the weight set (him and his partner were DYING!). i broke that promise. now the weight set sits there each day like a symbol of failure. a bad mojo totem of an exercise plan gone wrong.
Whether you work out at home or at the gym doesn't matter. Getting started and then sticking with it is what matters the most.
[quote:f59cbdcae2="BigBoy"]the main reason i went with a gym membership is because i have a weight set home that's been collecting dust for the better part of a year. that's not the worst part of the story though. when i moved two years ago i promised the mover that i would use the weight set (him and his partner were DYING!). i broke that promise. now the weight set sits there each day like a symbol of failure. a bad mojo totem of an exercise plan gone wrong.[/quote:f59cbdcae2] I certainly can relate. A friend gave me his old weight bench. I moved that thing around with me twice, vowing to use it, and I never even set it up. But for some reason, I am motivated by this BowFlex. There are many advantages to a BowFlex, IMO, over a weight bench. One is that there aren't any of these heavy weights - which is what I like most. It's quiet - no clanging of weights as you lift. Also, as I wrote above, it's easy on your joints. You can do a series of exercises with just minor changes. For me, this is the perfect home gym. However, I certainly understand your point, BigBoy. The big thing about working-out at home is first getting the equipment together. If it's sitting in boxes, it won't get used. Even with the equipment ready to use, the challenge is finding a way to motivate yourself. That's the tough part. And here, odd as this sounds, the price of the BowFlex motivates me. I do NOT want to spend all this money on an expensive clothes hanger! In fact, I try to avoid putting anything on my BowFlex (like papers, books, etc.) other than me. I know if I start putting things on it, then it'll get cluttered and I won't use it. For me, a gym membership wasn't an option. I know me - I would NOT go. I've used gyms before - it was a company gym that my coworker/friend and I used to go to during lunch. Even though the gym was right there at work, my friend had to almost drag me there! I'm a very private person at times - like when working out - and I don't need people there encouraging me or watching me or rushing me. All of that would (and did) discourage me from working-out. I like knowing this machine is mine and only mine - to use whenever I want. The BowFlex's that cost about $1K might sound expensive, but they really are equivalent to about 2 years of a gym membership (depending on your gym). Plus, these less expensive models can be neatly folded and stored (more readily than the model I have). If you are the type of person that will go to the gym, then get a gym membership. If you are like me, a person who hates going to a gym but is thinking of working-out, then I think the BowFlex is perfect. In fact, I think you'll find yourself working-out more on the BowFlex than you would going to the gym! *edited a few typos :lol:
all kidding aside, doctoru2, i know exactly what you mean. the main reason i joined a gym is because my fiancee went with me. if i had to do it alone i would definitely end up skipping. i understand exactly what you're saying about the motivation being easier at home.
It doesn't really matter "how". Just get yourself moving. The old commercial about the "body in motion tends to stay in motion" may be corny but it is pretty accurate. It's much easier to keep exercising once you start in earnest. After you actually get good results, you will be "hooked" soon enough.
**just a follow up** i joined my ymca. they have a lot of exercise classes, and i think i would do better there than at my home. besides the fact i don't have a lot of extra room. thank you for the info on the bowflex..maybe someday down the road, i will look into this as an option when space allows..:)
No problem! You have to do whatever works for you. As I wrote above, I know I wouldn't go to a gym or the Y. But I will work-out at home. So the BowFlex works for me. Even on days when I have little time, like this weekend and this morning, I was able to squeeze in a tiny bit of a work-out. I couldn't do this if I had to go to the gym. But for others, the cost and space requirements of a BowFlex or other home gyms are too great. Some like going to a gym as well. You just do what works for you. Good luck! :D